Judit Polgár vs Garry Kasparov - Russia vs Rest of the World - 2002

Judit Polgár, the world's strongest female chess player ever, is paired against Garry Kasparov, arguably the best chess player ever, in a game from the Russia vs Rest of the World match in 2002. At the time of this round 5 meeting, Judit Polgár was rated 2681, and Garry Kasparov was rated 2838. This battle between two legends of the game saw the Ruy Lopez, Berlin Defense on board where a queenless middlegame position is reached. A positional struggle ensues where each side tries to put to better use their trump. It's a game between long term advantages, namely Polgár's healthy kingside pawn majority, and Kasparov's bishop pair. This match from Moscow, Russia in 2002 was pegged "Match of the New Century", or "Match of the 21st Century".
PGN:
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. O-O Nxe4 5. d4 Nd6 6. Bxc6 dxc6 7. dxe5 Nf5 8. Qxd8+ Kxd8 9. Nc3 h6 10. Rd1+ Ke8 11. h3 Be7 12. Ne2 Nh4 13. Nxh4 Bxh4 14. Be3 Bf5 15. Nd4 Bh7 16. g4 Be7 17. Kg2 h5 18. Nf5 Bf8 19. Kf3 Bg6 20. Rd2 hxg4+ 21. hxg4 Rh3+ 22. Kg2 Rh7 23. Kg3 f6 24. Bf4 Bxf5 25. gxf5 fxe5 26. Re1 Bd6 27. Bxe5 Kd7 28. c4 c5 29. Bxd6 cxd6 30. Re6 Rah8 31. Rexd6+ Kc8 32. R2d5 Rh3+ 33. Kg2 Rh2+ 34. Kf3 R2h3+ 35. Ke4 b6 36. Rc6+ Kb8 37. Rd7 Rh2 38. Ke3 Rf8 39. Rcc7 Rxf5 40. Rb7+ Kc8 41. Rdc7+ Kd8 42. Rxg7 Kc8
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[@luise.mercadorojas9305]

I laugh every time he says "Do you know how to do defend this piece? You can't."

[@E10m00]

Apparently Jerry needed to put in video evidence of Kasparov resigning. Lol I Love the gif.

[@dhrutishah4035]

Wow, Judit Polgar is an amazing chess player!

[@BlackBeltMonkeySong]

Great video! Would love to see some more analysis of Polgar's games.

[@williambunter3311]

Thank you. Judit has nerves of steel and is always so beautifully aggressive! Your commentary is so clear and knowledgeable.

[@TheLocoRunner]

Normally I find it super hard to see the grander strategy behind chess games and moves on the board without analysis, but in this game with Judit Polgar I could kind of understand what she was trying to accomplish at different points in the game, gonna have to look up more chess videos with her in them.

[@hellopleychess3190]

if you think you understand chess, you will learn more later and you will understand that you were wrong

[@TheLocoRunner]

@@hellopleychess3190 I am 100% better and understand way more about chess than I did when I made this comment 6 years ago (800 elo to 1300) I'm not trying to be a GM, I just want to enjoy chess, improve from where I'm currently at and to have some good games.

[@hellopleychess3190]

@@TheLocoRunner I am rated 1834.98 now and every month I learn new things and I understand that I understood nothing a month ago

[@TheLocoRunner]

@@hellopleychess3190 it's a deep game that's for sure, there are definetly "levels" of knowledge to it, I really dislike opening theory and really like the midgame so I'll probably never get a super high rating

[@ezraspeelman14]

Great analysis as usual, I love your channel and I wanted to thank you for getting me interested in chess. I found you by a minecraft youtuber with you in their featured channels bar and after i heard your commentary, I decided to keep watching and now i will be in my first tournament soon. Thank you.

[@ChessNetwork]

Awesome! Tournaments are quite the experience...very intense.

[@Mike-dh5ur]

How'd it go? :)

[@user-kx4ge1ps6u]

Love your commentary and excellent explanation of what's behind the scenes.Thank you for these instructional videos!Fantastic job!

[@davehumphreys1725]

Thanks for the analysis. Having the moves explained clearly is vital for us lesser mortals to be able to follow the reasons behind the moves of the masters. They help enormously in our understanding of the openings and middle game ideas and themes. I only hope I am able to recall them the next time I face the Berlin!! [Not easy at my advanced age!!]

[@elpablo3728]

I suck at chess, but damn it's fun.

[@coqueice]

same

[@FreethinkingSecularist]

What's your rating?

[@Phoenix-ox2jr]

FreethinkingSecularist watch it be 2800 and this is actually magnus carlsen

[@exaltica]

Chess is fun. Like life itself. Don't take life too seriously. You might die before the fun.

[@owlman647]

Greates game, hope you share more vídeos like this. Thanks !!

[@richardfredlund3802]

love the videos, .... the commentary and explanations are great. Hope you will make some more speed chess videos also, have watched them so many times already.

[@kelafornia]

Thanks Jerry, great video again! Always enjoyable to watch analysis videos from the high level games.

[@ChessNetwork]

+Apossium Thanks Apossium. :D

[@Ben_c_hode]

Bbvccc.

[@puppycasey8883]

Another amazing game by Judit. Thanks for your analysis

[@waynemiller6070]

Thanks Jerry. As usual, a high standard analysis. i have commented before how much I like that you are respectful and well spoken.

[@iadros10]

Thank you Jerry, great vid!

[@stefannuschristian5181]

what's the time control?

[@gonzalojaner4706]

another amazing video. thanks jerry!

[@giroppa99]

Great analysis, and pretty fun game to watch :)

[@denisdemonte15]

this was super instructional, thanks

[@HunterBelkiran]

I was just thinking about this game, wondering if Jerry would ever do an analysis of it. YAY!

[@judelion8655]

Top notch analysis! I'm only rated 1164. I'm hoping that these type of analysis will improve my game!

[@markhughes7927]

Very good, very clear, very well analysed.

[@luke.p1535]

I love your videos

[@markhughes7927]

Neat game - great analysis.

[@emanuelcolon2680]

great thanx

[@nicholaspilot]

Hello! Why move 30 ..Rh6 (black) is not defending the d6 square? My feeling is white is still better even after this but black has better fighting chances. But what do I know..;] Thanks!

[@richardsrensen4219]

fine game and good analyse of it from you Jerry i loved many things in that game but specialty how polgar played the Rock endgame and the whole time adding pressure against Kasparov withs is normally is Kasparovs trademark

[@austenmurphy3545]

What is wrong with the move 30. Re6 Rh6 ? it defends the pawn and attacks the rook. Then if 31. Rxh6 gxh6 black has a past pawn that can be supported by the other rook. I feel like I'm missing something here.

[@TheAelenium]

what about 36. Rd7 forking the g7 and a7 pawns? shouldn't it be a better move than 36. Rc6+?

[@TheMarkODonohue]

Cheers for another great analysis Jerry! Your efforts save me from doing my own study.. Do you think that f6 was a mistake as well? I felt that it really did make black's life a lot tougher. For me the biggest issue for black throughout the entire game was not being able to get their rooks active. Watching this game I'd honestly be shocked if you told me Kasparov was playing black AFTER I saw the whole game, it seemed very out of character and (for lack of a better term) weak. Cheers, SnatchPato

[@LeoSkyro]

Havent been to your stream in a while, how are you?

[@ChessNetwork]

+PATO MARK Thanks Mark. In the computer's eyes it's a mistake yes. There's about a half pawn shift on the move f6. The engine recommends either Bxf5 or a5 as better. I think f6 was an attempt to try to enter a more concrete-like position instead of a waiting game where it's white who will find it much easier to steadily improve her position.

[@jackfontenot809]

+ChessNetwork could i send you a game and you anaylize the game?(its with a NM)

[@jilow]

+PATO MARK +ChessNetwork you two should play a game and put it on youtube. Do a best of 5 series or something :D.

[@TheMarkODonohue]

+jilow I can't see myself being very competitive with someone like Jerry jilow, I fear it would be a bit of a disappointment!

[@kotsarinas7]

Why didn't Kasparov play 30. Rh6 to defend the pawn on d6 (11:24)? what am I missing?

[@xKillingEdg3]

Thanks Jerry!

[@0marginal0]

thx

[@abhishekshah11]

Extraordinary analysis. Felt like a story.

[@koyaaanisquatsi]

Abhishek shah good metaphor. each chess game feels like a story indeed

[@UnstableAudioProductions]

That title didnt age well...

[@federicoxcc4966]

What about black clear beshop in e-4?

[@shivanshtiwari6794]

Nice analysis

[@TheSlanchorMan]

i never knew that having the bishop pair was seen to be so powerful. Black cant castle, has doubles pawns and is playing with kingside minority. and his only compensation is the bishop pair? is it really that powerful to have the bishop pair?? pls explain

[@uchihamadara6024]

according to bobby fischer, two bishops are worth a half pawn advantage. arguably doubled pawns are a half pawn disadvantage. Castling in this position after the queens are off isn't necessary, it's important to move your king up the board in the endgame

[@Annur375]

I once lost against a 12-yr old girl in a regular competition in Yucatan, Mexico. Since then, I have a lot of respect for women chess players. They can be pretty tough. Great video, thanks for sharing.

[@ChessNetwork]

Thank you

[@jorgeromero5122]

In the database the score between both it is about 8 to 0, in classical games.

[@mizofan]

But he cheated against her when she was 17 in 1994 at Linares, when Karpov won the tournament magnificently- he should have forfeited the game.

[@talyannatal5969]

This is strategic

[@TheAtheist22]

What would the score be if they played 10 games?

[@AndjeiKuna]

I really love how Kasparov, who lost a World Championship to the Berlin defence, plays it against Judit here, as if saying "hey, you're a great attacking player. Show me how you think I should've approached this position". And show him she did.

[@kir717]

who won?

[@christophefournier2095]

My congratulations to Judith Polgar !!!! Great game !!!!

[@mizofan]

Alexandra Kosteniuk has done very well to win the women's world cup- are there any of her games you could analyse, please? She herself pointed out opponent errors that helped, but still, she deserves a lot of credit, over a decade since she was world champ.

[@alexrr9264]

Uff... I read "Garry Kasparov and Judit Polgar vs the rest of the world" in the tiltle

[@yasharshahi]

Judit plays king of the hill. 😂

[@KF1]

I was wondering about why Kasparov would play this, figured okay, bishop pair. But by 9:17 it didn't turn out to be that much an asset. Great play by Polgar, cool match.

[@rajnikantshirbavikar4013]

❤

[@vivvpprof]

11:13 Why not ...Rh6?

[@nylesor1120]

When he lost the ability yo castle, I think his disadvantage started! ;) Great video thanks so much! Love Love Love the lectures too at the end of the play.

[@karamkaramdawod5474]

11:21 balck could play rock to h6 and defende the pawn

[@KK-ej4si]

Why not rook to H6 at minute 11:20, if white rook takes on D6 then black rook takes and if the other rook takes, then king takes.

[@xaruan]

D rook takes on d6 check. E6 rook takes on h6. Gxh6. Rxh6. White is up 2 pawns. Should be an easy win from there

[@medexamtoolsdotcom]

At 5:28, why not c6 to c5? Then the knight has to move, and the bishop can take the c2 pawn.

[@jakadajakada6939]

medexamtoolsdotcom exactly what I want to comment

[@jakadajakada6939]

But I think then Nf5

[@Sobreira4]

5:00 15 Bg6? It's protected but not enclosed and ready to threaten d1.

[@ARP2wefightforyou]

What about a perpetual check?

[@lukebomber]

the white king can hide behind the f2 pawn

[@clsadil]

"She has fantastic chess talent, but she is, after all, a woman. It all comes down to the imperfections of the feminine psyche. No woman can sustain a prolonged battle." Kasparov, 1989

[@mishaerementchouk]

"The Polgars showed that there are no inherent limitations to their aptitude". Kasparov, 2007

[@franzjosephliszt1555]

yea he said that, but he took it back after getting his ass handed to him

[@greatwhitesufi]

Franz Joseph Liszt After beating her 8 times I know I would've been a bit cocky. Edit: 12 times

[@looinrims]

Franz Joseph Liszt also during a time where he’s at the end of his career, he’s too old for the top tier games

[@roqsteady5290]

It is an unsupported assertion that women are genetically inferior to men at chess that may or may not be true - it hasn't been tested scientifically as far as I know. What the Polgar story suggests is that the difference may be largely cultural or due to other preferences that young children have if not guided (as the Polgars were). If on average male children played with dolls and female children learned chess, then things might well be different. The fact that Judit did not make world champion, hardly implies that women are limited in some way, given that not all men who learn chess at an early age don't necessarily reach the top either.

[@jsehxl]

First comment! :D Hi jerry!!

[@daniellugo4272]

11:15 rock to H6 ?

[@magazin9000]

+Daniel Lugo White caputer pawn with other rook

[@TbrizzyF]

+Daniel Lugo Rdxd6

[@louismattajr9040]

Gary Kasperov versus Vladimir Putin. What if?

[@Phoenix-ox2jr]

Louis Matta Jr Kasparov would lose. Not because putin is a better chess player, because Kasparov values his life.

Kasparov would become mysteriously ill before the game and Putin would be declared the winner.

[@calebmauer1751]

In Kasparov versus Trump, Kasparov would win but when the results are reported Trump would declare the reports to be fake news.

[@medstud]

Noobish, no you're right, Russia is an oasis of freedom and democracy.

[@Tegurd]

There's a lot of male gatekeeping going on in these comments. Is this common for chess communities?

[@Ruouiji]

I wish there was a site where I could watch games without the impediment of the endless commentary, possibilities, what ifs, etc. If anyone knows such a site , let me know because I am sick of listening to someone yacking endlessly. I just want to watch the games in peace, and replay them myself after it's over, and not have someone trying to conduct a chess symposium during a game!

[@rfgust]

I thought Be4 to d5

[@holmesxl]

Hi :)

[@zaben8294]

+Jon Snow You know nothin' Jon Snow

[@theboss4hire168]

10:08 Bishop takes bishop

[@falgunivora2750]

Were you tired

[@eyausoj2065]

30. ... Rh6 works, no?

[@jureculic9737]

10:07 why black didn't play Bb4

[@fazarra5355]

She just outplayed him the entire game

[@BongelaMnguni]

painful loss, i hate losing to patzers like this

[@louismattajr9040]

I remember this, as if was yesterday. "Who Knows Were the Time Goes?" Joan Baez

[@paulnatherty3933]

I don't understand why male and female chess is segregated. Especially saying that she is the strongest female chess player ever and he simply the best chess player ever is a little condescending. Can someone explain it to me?

[@Commanber]

It is not segregated. The women's championship and tournaments are in addition to the open ones, there are no male-only tournaments. That's why Judit Polgár played against Kasparov in this one. And it is not condescending to say she's the strongest female player, why would it? She was a GM at 15 and her peak rating was 2735 in 2005, where she was the 8th strongest player in the world. Kasparov, on the other hand, had a peak rating of 2851 and was world chess champion for 15 years.

[@primarkbandit8535]

The IQ distribution for women is more clustered around the median than that of men. There are more stupid men than women and more hyper-intelligent men than women but there are more women with average intelligence than there are men. This is why the "most intelligent" woman chess player is rated 2735 and one of the "most intelligent" male chess players is rated 2851. The average woman vs the average man is evenly balanced in an intellectual competition, but there are more top men than top women - at the same time there are more men who cannot lick and stick envelopes than there are women who can't do that.

[@pokemonguy99]

Because if there weren't female only tournaments there would practically be no female players in any tournaments with visibility. Well, he simply is one of the best if not the best chess players ever to play. World champion for 15 years for starters. She was never even close to winning the world champion title. Nevertheless, she was the strongest female chess player at that time. Why is it condescending to tell the truth?

[@jammedgun]

no.

[@dalesmith7310]

Primark Bandit This could possibly be explained by the lack of educational opportunitues for women in the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries. As well as the persistence of some scientifically unsupported gender norms to this day.

[@miguelpanta]

judith💚

[@monicatoro2286]

This is very funny. I played with a group of male friends for a few years and 9 of 10 times I beat them. I think its because men generally have a hard time sacrificing pieces so they play with more fear. Women are more risky.

[@RomanBelisarius]

Monica Toro That and they've gone overboard with that concept compared to GMs as there are a lot of Immortals(including the first, where piece upon piece is sacrificed for the ultimate checkmate) executed by male GMs. Chess now with computer crunching and excellent defensive maneuvers destroyed sentimental risk taking gameplay with cold calculation of development and equality. Still, sounds like you've got talent, did you ever consider playing pro?

[@hamzaa.8082]

Kasparov won 12 games against Polgar, before he lost to her on 2002, he won 8 times against her on 1994, 1996 (twice), 1997 (twice), 2000 (twice) and 2001. Also he won 4 times on 2002 (twice) and 2006 (twice). :D

[@simonhakansson9300]

Yes of course, he is one of the strongest chess players of all time.

[@dalesmith7310]

And another mysogynist raises his hand. 😄 And how many male chess players never beat Kasparov?

[@greatwhitesufi]

Thanks, I was starting to think he never beat her.

[@looinrims]

Dale Smith how is it mysoygnistic? I didn’t know facts could be sexist

[@dalesmith7310]

It's not the facts that are mysogynistic. It's the idea that a woman who beat Kasparov is still somehow inferior to men who never did. I admit that I may have misinterpreted the intent of this comment. If so, my apologies.

[@federicoxcc4966]

Lol

[@FedeS2000]

2:20 g4 And White win

[@hannovb5379]

not quite... look at that diagonal running black piece.

[@00bikeboy]

Would 30...Rh6 have helped black?

[@YCLP]

+00bikeboy No because the d rook can capture the pawn. Rdxd6 makes sure the black rook can't recapture. After the king moves black could follow up with Rxh6, gxh6 and Rxh6 winning two pawns.

[@00bikeboy]

+YCLP Ah! Didn't see that. Right you are!

[@carschannel3099]

Black not being able to castle is another white advantage

[@pawanpareek6699]

This is a crystal clear example to tacle megalomaniacs

[@benboaz8409]

3rd comment

[@JuniorOrtiz738]

2nd comment! :D

[@FedeS2000]

escuse Moi is a error

[@myfavorite519]

russia vs hungary ;-)

[@bobfree1226]

kasparov also lost twice to a computer-great player but no fischer. no way

[@skycanth1969]

To all of the male detractors - man up or shut up!

[@FedeS2000]

2:20 g4 And White win!!!! WTF is true

[@andydecoy1138]

+Federico Salvadori Why would g4 win? The black knight is not trapped.

[@FedeS2000]

+andy decoy keep calm sorry

[@SilentSputnik]

+Federico Salvadori lol

[@ohhhboy06]

Jerry, video a little drown out.

[@ChessNetwork]

Can you elaborate some?

[@ohhhboy06]

+ChessNetwork Sure, just a few minor unnecessary rests throughout the video, where you could simply continue with the sequence. Instead you reset. e.g. 12:20. Again minor but they add up. thanks for the reply Jerry and keep up the good work!

[@perrycarl2684]

White is now doubling on the D

[@hanshibbach6595]

The crazy ankle collaterally push because desire explicitly nail including a accurate queen. receptive, whole euphonium

[@michael2244]

Judit is alright lookin =)

[@hanshibbach6595]

The chunky link importantly tremble because airship systematically beg out a clean vietnam. merciful, damaged bomb

[@ahmadshekeb05]

kasparov defeated by a woman!!!!...how can he be the best of all time

[@aregnav]

He crushed her in literally all the other games they played

[@ahmadshekeb05]

+Steven when we call someone the best of all time.. then he can be defeated specially by a woman its a shame it would have been ok if it was a draw

[@aregnav]

Judit is considered to be the greatest female player of all time. Kasparov beat her 8-0 in classical games and only lost this one time.

[@ahmadshekeb05]

+Steven sometimes one lost can take you down

[@aregnav]

I'm afraid you're wrong here- if Kasparov hadn't crushed polgar in literally all the other games they played I'd agree.

[@SaeedAcronia]

This is Magnus Carllson and I say this game sucked!

[@yamiegg394]

_Durden Durden Oh hi, Magnus Carllson.

[@thequray]

Always fun to see a woman accidentally win a match vs a man

[@emokehaupt8584]

There was no accident. Judit was at her peak one of the best players in the world, over 2730

[@rachelzimet8310]

+thequray Always fun to see a man accidentally make an intelligent statement. Unfortunately, it doesn't happen very often.

[@emokehaupt8584]

Rachel jminizimet I agree

[@ChessNetwork]

+Emoke Haupt Well said. Judit's peak of 2735 is no joke or accident. :D

[@rachelzimet8310]

Her rating is also a great motivator for other women to play, although one day I hope to pass it. Not going to happen, but still . . .

[@TheZombieSlayerWave]

Of course you show the one game with polgar winning, instead of the 14 games where kasparov smashed her. Such bias towards women..

[@ChessNetwork]

+TheZombieSlayerWave Easy now...

[@aregnav]

I know right? He beat her with a huge score

[@Benderrr111]

are you kidding me? she's an excellent player..

[@erikmarkus7467]

judit's games are great. but to go on with your "reasoning".... tell me, which kasparov's loss would be ok to show then? who does have such a whooping record against him as to earn the right to showcase a win against him? or are we not going to show kasparov losing? get over it, its a game between two brilliant players. just enjoy...

[@barracuda7018]

If they had played 10 games in 10 days it would have ended 8 wins and 2 draws in favor of Kasparov.. Women no matter how brilliant they are could win one or two games against the best men in their lives but overall they lose huge.. Remember Polgar never won a game against Kramnik.. the overall score is 13:0 or something .